Why Canada needs a children’s charter

Up until 2018, Canada didn’t have a national children’s charter – that is, a document outlining the rights of kids to protect kids. Remember the top 10 threats to childhood in Canada? Well, we were leaving big gaps when it came to addressing those issues. These problems hit some kids and youth harder than others, especially Indigenous youth, youth from racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and youth with disabilities.

By the way, 2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and more – it’s about including everyone who identifies as part of sexual and gender-diverse communities.

Compared to other developed countries, Canada is doing poorly when it comes to child well-being. Our nation ranks 30th out of 38 wealthy countries for children’s wellbeing and 81st on the Global Kids Rights Index. Why? Well, our health, education, and social programs are mostly run by provinces. This means different rules depending on where you live, since there aren’t any big federal standards. But with children and youth making up almost a quarter of our country, it was clear we needed an action plan that works for everyone – no matter which province they live in.

Enter the idea of a Canadian Children’s Charter: a call to action to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of children! Similar children’s charters in other countries have done wonders in setting national goals and action plans for child health, well-being, and protection. A children’s charter would bridge existing gaps, ensuring every child, regardless of their geography or family circumstances, has an equal opportunity to thrive. Children First Canada had advocated for the implementation of this charter, hoping to make things fair for all kids.

The Children’s Charter is the key to unlocking a brighter, healthier future for all our young Canadians and is a call to action against the problems that make life hard for them.